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Can Masonry do more, to assist people in learning about the Constitution?

MarkR

Premium Member
Thoughts? I'm new to this, but I thought Masonry, as an institution, was supposed to be non-partisan in politics. Hillsdale is "a bastion of conservative tradition" and could turn people off by association.
That's why he said he would not promote it.
 

MaineMason

Registered User
The Constitution is important, but there is one other thing to remember about it: the Supreme Court makes decisions about what it Constitutional and what is not. I would suggest that if we're going to get all Constitutional, we should also encourage folks to read the Supreme Court decisions about the Constitution as well. We won't always agree with them.

What kind of gets me here is that when people talk about the Constitution these days, they are generally talking about something else. They are talking about other stuff. Political stuff and racial stuff. I go on other sites to talk about politics, and I would prefer it if our brothers here did as well.
 

MaineMason

Registered User
We are not to discuss partisan politics or sectarian religion. Notice the qualifiers. Teaching the basic civics of one's country is not a sectarian political issue.

It is SUPER easy to cross the line when discussing civics to end up partisan but it doable with care. It is even harder to stay on the non-sectarian side of the line in religious discussion but we are open about our requirement of a belief in the existence of a supreme being.
I, personally, as a Master Mason prefer to leave all of this out of Lodge. It IS easy. We have a serious conversation going on in this country between those who feel that we should behave as if we lived in the 18th Century and those who believe, as I do, our Constitution is a living document and we have a certain reason, or several certain reasons why. I think we should not get into this but I have absolutely no reason why not to salute the flag at Lodge.
 

MaineMason

Registered User
I believe American Freemasons can educate people about its country's founding principles and help facilitate instilling patriotism without being political. The constitution is a great place to start.

I would see nothing wrong with handing out constitutions with American flag lapel pins on a street corner.

Collect donations so that the lodge can print more copies and buy more pins.

Slightly (ok, totally) off subject but I love saying the Pledge of Allegiance at lodge because that patriotism is one more thing that bonds us.
I have never, nor will ever, wear a flag pin on my lapel. It is an empty sentiment, especially since American unity has become so unpopular again. I'll wear a Masonic pin there, though, because we ARE in unity. We can argue about everything else, but we can't argue about the fact that we are Brothers. I'll follow my forefathers on this.
 

Morris

Premium Member
I have never, nor will ever, wear a flag pin on my lapel. It is an empty sentiment, especially since American unity has become so unpopular again. I'll wear a Masonic pin there, though, because we ARE in unity. We can argue about everything else, but we can't argue about the fact that we are Brothers. I'll follow my forefathers on this.
Its empty if you want it to be empty. I don't say that to argue I just say it to point out you are the only person that can place value a on things.

I would not blink an eye if you turned down my gift if were handing them out. I would just give to the next individual. People are inspired differently. Seeing a flag inspires me.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
When discussing the Constitution, it is easy to slip off into a partisan debate. In the 19th century, There were debates about various items, including slavery. The debate degenerated into the Civil War. In our own time, we continued to debate various topics, like giving women the vote (19th amendment), and the poll tax, which was used to keep African-Americans from voting (It was repealed by a constitutional amendment). And prohibition, which was brought in with the 18th amendment, and repealed with the 21st amendment. And we continue to debate topics like the right to bear arms (2d amendment), which was adopted in 1791, but the SCOTUS ruled on it as recently as 2008, in Heller v. US.

The bottom line, is that Freemasonry can continue in our splendid tradition of supporting an educated and enlightened citizenry. We can provide copies of the US Constitution, and assist interested individuals in locating opportunities to expand and increase their "literacy" about our national "owner's manual". And we can do it, without partisanship, and without propounding a particular point of view.

Tyrants and dictators keep their subjects in the dark. Only in a free society, are people free to learn about their government. If a people expects to be both free and ignorant, they will wind up ignorant, but not free.

Freemason and US President George Washington said
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgewash118164.html#VJmmeVl2ckDfXkGM.99
 
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cemab4y

Premium Member
Thomas Jefferson said-
Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.

Only tyrants and dictators deliberately keep their people in the dark. I believe that the understanding which the American people have of their government is very low. Perhaps it has never been lower. Public schools, have cut the instruction of civics and constitutional study. This is why actor/Freemason Richard Dreyfuss started the Dryefuss Initiative ,to expand and upgrade the instruction of civics in public schools.

It is true that education can descend into a partisan or theological debate. One example is the continuing debate over evolution vs. creation.
 
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